Plot Summary

The White Castle

Orhan Pamuk
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The White Castle

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1985

Book Brief

Orhan Pamuk

The White Castle

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1985
Book Details
Pages

161

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Constantinople • 17th Century

Publication Year

1985

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The White Castle by Orhan Pamuk follows a young Italian academic who becomes a slave to a Turkish scholar named Hoja in the seventeenth-century Ottoman Empire. As they navigate their intertwined lives, they explore themes of identity, knowledge, and freedom, culminating in a final role reversal.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Melancholic

Fantastical

Reviews & Readership

3.7

15,939 ratings

50%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Orhan Pamuk's The White Castle enchants with its rich historical backdrop and philosophical depth, weaving a compelling tale about identity and duality. Critics praise its intricate narrative and intellectual engagement, though some find its pacing uneven at times. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read that challenges perceptions and resonates with Pamuk's unique literary voice.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The White Castle?

A reader who enjoys Orhan Pamuk's The White Castle likely appreciates intricate historical settings, philosophical introspection, and complex identities. Fans of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose or Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities may find this novel equally engaging due to its focus on the interplay of knowledge, culture, and storytelling.

3.7

15,939 ratings

50%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

161

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Constantinople • 17th Century

Publication Year

1985

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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